Mike Zimmer prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M
Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer is one of the hottest names on the head coaching market, and he has a number of interviews in the works. In addition to receiving interest from the Washington Redskins and Detroit Lions, Zimmer has interviews set up with the Minnesota Vikings and Tennessee Titans this week. In fact, the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that Zimmer is meeting with the Vikings “brass” today and will interview with the Titans tomorrow, unless if he is actually offered the Vikings gig today. It is important to note that the Vikings are still very much interested in hiring a DC as their head coach despite firing Leslie Frazier, and the fact that Todd Bowles’s interview (Bowles is currently the Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator) was a smashing success yesterday serves to show that the Vikings are fine with hiring either an offensive or defensive-mind at head coach.
The Titans, on the other hand, should probably show more interest in a head coach who can develop quarterbacks and run an offense, because the Titans are stronger on the defensive side of the ball. With a better LB and starting DE to pair up with Derrick Morgan, the Titans defense should be solid. However, they need to figure out who their franchise quarterback is going to be, and they need a head coach or very strong offensive coordinator to develop that guy. Plus, the Titans could get rid of Chris Johnson in the offseason, which would create another hole on offense.
It’s going to be interesting to see how Zimmer’s interview goes with the Vikings today, but I think it’s going to be more interesting to see if Zimmer receives opportunities to interview with the Lions and Redskins as well. I doubt the Lions need him since they really want a head coach who can develop Matthew Stafford, but the Redskins could use a coach like Zimmer.